Software:Super Crate Box

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Short description: 2010 video game

Super Crate Box
Developer(s)Vlambeer
Publisher(s)Vlambeer
Designer(s)
  • Rami Ismail
  • Jan Willem Nijman
Artist(s)
  • Roy Nathan de Groot
  • Paul Veer
Composer(s)Eirik Suhrke
Platform(s)
Release
  • Microsoft Windows
  • 22 October 2010[1]
  • Mac OS X
  • 26 November 2010
  • iOS
  • 5 January 2012[2]
  • PS Vita
  • 3 October 2012[3]
  • Ouya
  • 25 June 2013[4][5]
  • Linux
  • 25 August 2016
  • Nintendo Switch
  • 1 October 2019[6]
Genre(s)Shoot 'em up
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Super Crate Box is a shoot 'em up and indie game by Vlambeer. It was first released for Microsoft Windows on 22 October 2010, and was followed with ports to Mac OS X on 26 November 2010, to iOS on 4 January 2012, and to PlayStation Vita on 3 October 2012. A Commodore 64 demake of the game was developed by Paul Koller, with music by Mikkel Hastrup, and published by RGCD as Super Bread Box on 22 October 2013.

Gameplay

Gameplay in Super Crate Box from the level "Construction Yard".
General gameplay in Super Crate Box. The red enemies have fallen into the pit previously, and are angry and run faster.

Super Crate Box's core gameplay revolves around a 2D map.[7] Enemies continually spawn from the top of the map, and come in three varieties: small, large and flying.[8] A crate is always available in a random location on the map, and picking up a crate gives one of 14 weapons, selected at random. At all times, there is a fire pit at the bottom of the map.[7] If an enemy reaches the bottom of the map and falls into the pit, it will respawn at the top of the map with the same health but moving considerably faster.[8] Contact with an enemy results in immediate death.[7]

The goal of the game is to survive as long as possible by using the different weapons obtained from crates to kill enemies.[9] The number of crates that the player picks up before dying constitutes the score. By attaining certain numbers of crates in the game the player can unlock new weapons, game modes and cosmetic character skins.[citation needed]

There is a leaderboard available on the official website that tracks high scores for the various modes. The game supports joypad controls.

Development

Commodore 64 version

In 2012, Super Crate Box was ported to the Commodore 64 home computer by Paul Koller. This conversion became available as a cartridge on 3 October 2013 under the title Super Bread Box. The version features three new and exclusive Commodore 64-themed levels, in addition to the original three, as well as online high score tables, but lacks the SFMT and Ambush modes due to limitations of the hardware.[10]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic(Vita) 80/100[11]
(iOS) 75/100[12]
(NS) 60/100[13]
Review scores
PublicationScore
Edge(iOS) 8/10[15]
Eurogamer(iOS) 9/10[16]
Gamezebo(iOS) StarStarStarStar[17]
IGN(iOS) 6.5/10[18]
Pocket Gamer(iOS) StarStarStarStar[20]
Push Square(Vita) StarStarStarStarStarStarStarStar[21]
TouchArcade(iOS) StarStarStarStarStar[22]
VideoGamer.com(iOS) 7/10[23]
Digital Spy(iOS) StarStarStarStarStar[24]
Metro(iOS) 7/10[25]

The PlayStation Vita and iOS versions received "generally favourable reviews", while the Switch version received "mixed" reviews, according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[11][12][13] Mike Mason of Push Square said of the Vita version, "it's a twitch platformer-cum-shooter that preys on compulsion", and added, "If you dare to open the box on a lazy day, don't expect to close it again for an hour."[21] Edge said of the iOS version, "The challenge is fierce; as your tally climbs above its previous best, the accompanying exclamation mark is a virtual eyebrow raised in surprise at your achievement."[15] Brad Nicholson of TouchArcade said of the same iOS version, "The hooks are in its constituent parts, which seamlessly blend into a cacophony of arcade action surrounding this pure purpose of play."[22]

References

  1. ↑ Smith, Quintin (22 October 2010). "Living In A Box: Super Crate Box Released". Gamer Network. https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/living-in-a-box-super-crate-box-released. 
  2. ↑ Kuchera, Ben (5 January 2012). "Super Crate Box on iOS box is hatefully addictive, delightfully anachronistic". Condé Nast. https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2012/01/super-crate-box-on-ios-box-is-hatefully-addictive-delightfully-anachronistic/. 
  3. ↑ Brown, Mark (3 October 2012). "PlayStation Mobile launch game impressions – Super Crate Box, Rebel, Aqua Kitty". Steel Media Ltd. https://www.pocketgamer.com/features/playstation-mobile-launch-game-impressions-super-crate-box-rebel-aqua-kitty/. 
  4. ↑ Moon, Mariella (25 June 2013). "OUYA hits retailers for $100, promptly sells out at Amazon". Yahoo. https://www.engadget.com/2013-06-25-ouya-retail-launch.html. 
  5. ↑ Mitchell, Richard (4 July 2013). "Ouya launch game highlights". Yahoo. https://www.engadget.com/2013-07-04-ouya-launch-game-highlights.html. 
  6. ↑ Dickens, Anthony (3 October 2019). "Nintendo Download: 3rd October (Europe)". Gamer Network. https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/10/nintendo_download_3rd_october_europe. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "Super Crate Box Review". https://reviews2go.com/2013/12/17/super-crate-box-review/. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "How effing good is this game? A Super Crate Box review for the PS Vita". 19 February 2013. https://www.polygon.com/forums/super-crate-box/2013/2/19/4004120/how-effing-good-is-this-game-a-super-crate-box-review-for-the-ps-vita. 
  9. ↑ Huiskamp, Ramon (15 January 2020). "Super Crate Box: Elegant, frantic, and unapologetically small". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/super-crate-box-elegant-frantic-and-unapologetically-small. 
  10. ↑ "Video: Porting Canabalt and Super Crate Box to the Commodore 64". Informa. 20 September 2013. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/video-porting-i-canabalt-i-and-i-super-crate-box-i-to-the-commodore-64. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Super Crate Box for PlayStation Vita Reviews". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/super-crate-box/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-vita. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Super Crate Box for iPhone/iPad Reviews". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/super-crate-box/critic-reviews/?platform=ios-iphoneipad. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 "Super Crate Box for Switch Reviews". Fandom. https://www.metacritic.com/game/super-crate-box/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch. 
  14. ↑ Mastrapa, Gus; Wolinsky, David; Heisler, Steve; Agnello, Anthony John; Nelson, Samantha; Kaiser, Rowan; Williams, Christian; Teti, John (22 November 2010). "November 22, 2010". G/O Media. https://www.avclub.com/november-22-2010-1798223965. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Edge staff (11 January 2012). "Super Crate Box review". Edge (Future plc). http://www.edge-online.com/review/super-crate-box-review/. Retrieved 8 June 2013. 
  16. ↑ Donlan, Christian (5 January 2012). "Super Crate Box Review (iOS)". Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.net/super-crate-box-review. 
  17. ↑ Squires, Jim (9 January 2012). "Super Crate Box Review (iOS)". https://www.gamezebo.com/reviews/super-crate-box-review/. 
  18. ↑ Davis, Justin (24 January 2012). "Super Crate Box Review (iPhone)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/01/24/super-crate-box-review-iphone. 
  19. ↑ Hayward, Andrew (23 January 2012). "Super Crate Box Review". Future US. http://www.maclife.com/article/reviews/super_crate_box_review. 
  20. ↑ Hearn, Rob (5 January 2012). "Super Crate Box (iOS)". Steel Media Ltd. https://www.pocketgamer.com/super-crate-box/super-crate-box-review/. 
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Mason, Mike (10 January 2013). "Super Crate Box Review (PS Mobile)". Gamer Network. https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/psmobile/super_crate_box. 
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 Nicholson, Brad (11 January 2012). "'Super Crate Box' Review – Please, Not the Disc Gun Again". TouchArcade.com, LLC. https://toucharcade.com/2012/01/11/super-crate-box-review-please-not-the-disc-gun-again/. 
  23. ↑ Gaston, Martin (6 January 2012). "Super Crate Box Review (iOS)". Resero Network. https://www.videogamer.com/reviews/super-crate-box-review/. 
  24. ↑ Nichols, Scott (23 October 2012). "Mobile review round-up: 'Sonic Jump', 'Super Crate Box', more". Hearst Communications. https://www.digitalspy.com/videogames/a432624/mobile-review-round-up-sonic-jump-super-crate-box-more/. 
  25. ↑ Hargreaves, Roger (16 January 2012). "Super Crate Box review – box clever". Metro (DMG Media). https://metro.co.uk/2012/01/16/super-crate-box-review-box-clever-286831/. 

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This lengthy approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
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